" 'Sans Resistance' is a collection inspired by my mother, born of French roots. Growing up, my mother went to French school for nine years, speaking French with the French nuns, under a strict regime. Art was her outlet. Noting her experimental art habits, I landed on this beautiful phrase, meaning, "Without Resistance"-- a creative way describing how I produced this art collection from multiple materials.
The title, meaning "Without Resistance" gives nod to the style with which my mother creates art—something I draw from during a transitional period of my artwork. As I reflect on how my mother has experimented with art her whole life, giving the art process the freedom it deserves (as I do in this collection) I see that developing outside of "what usually works" is an important step in growing as an artist. My mother taught me (and continues to teach me) that in terms of art, there are no barriers. Creativity flows when there are no boundaries and ideas are able to evolve naturally.
I started experimenting with paper and wood, instead of my usual canvas paintings, to refresh my imagination and skill set. As great influence came from my mother, an artist in her own making, I channeled her energy to create something unique. Both of my parents have had a huge impact on how I create. I pay homage to my mother in particular, who (at age 83) still experiments with a variety of craft and art forms, recognizing the importance of expanding outside the comfort zone. She had made hundreds of artworks through painting, writing, basket-weaving, stained-glass, drawing, ceramics, quilting, sewing, knitting, wood carving, and more. Her childhood (as an only child) allowed for quite some time to develop her skills with cooking and the arts, learning mostly from her mother and live-in Aunt, Della. She also practiced her creativity as a beautician, when she owned a beauty salon, before eventually giving birth to five daughters, including me. Making art was a great escape for her as she didn't have time for much else. Still, my mother inspires me to think outside the box with art and to experiment freely. She still lives in a colorful, art-filled house (with the exterior currently painted, under her direction, in multiple colors: lime green, turquoise and purple—all on one house). It always makes me smile, knowing there are no limits to creativity. I hope this collection will inspire. "--April Popko
The title, meaning "Without Resistance" gives nod to the style with which my mother creates art—something I draw from during a transitional period of my artwork. As I reflect on how my mother has experimented with art her whole life, giving the art process the freedom it deserves (as I do in this collection) I see that developing outside of "what usually works" is an important step in growing as an artist. My mother taught me (and continues to teach me) that in terms of art, there are no barriers. Creativity flows when there are no boundaries and ideas are able to evolve naturally.
I started experimenting with paper and wood, instead of my usual canvas paintings, to refresh my imagination and skill set. As great influence came from my mother, an artist in her own making, I channeled her energy to create something unique. Both of my parents have had a huge impact on how I create. I pay homage to my mother in particular, who (at age 83) still experiments with a variety of craft and art forms, recognizing the importance of expanding outside the comfort zone. She had made hundreds of artworks through painting, writing, basket-weaving, stained-glass, drawing, ceramics, quilting, sewing, knitting, wood carving, and more. Her childhood (as an only child) allowed for quite some time to develop her skills with cooking and the arts, learning mostly from her mother and live-in Aunt, Della. She also practiced her creativity as a beautician, when she owned a beauty salon, before eventually giving birth to five daughters, including me. Making art was a great escape for her as she didn't have time for much else. Still, my mother inspires me to think outside the box with art and to experiment freely. She still lives in a colorful, art-filled house (with the exterior currently painted, under her direction, in multiple colors: lime green, turquoise and purple—all on one house). It always makes me smile, knowing there are no limits to creativity. I hope this collection will inspire. "--April Popko
